Unemployment benefits news
Additional unemployment benefits approved by President and Congress
Congress and the President approved an expansion of emergency unemployment compensation (EUC) effective Nov. 8, 2009.We have worked hard to reprogram our computer system to pay these additional benefits. We were able to set up the additional benefits for most eligible claimants, but we are still working to get everyone set up.
If you are still not set up, we reopened your claim so you could at least begin filing your weekly claims. You must file by 5 p.m. tonight, Nov. 20 for the week of Nov. 8-14. And next week you must file by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25 for the week of Nov. 15-21, because of the Thanksgiving holiday.
People who are eligible may begin claiming as early as Nov. 15 for the week of Nov. 8-14 (claims are always filed for the previous week). If you missed claiming this week, we will also automatically reopen your claim for next week.
For people who previously received EUC and state “extended benefits,” we will automatically reopen your claim for two weeks, beginning November 8. All you have to do is submit a weekly claim, as you’re accustomed to. Please be patient with us as we work to complete the computer update, and check this Web page often for new or additional information.
If you do not file a claim within the first two weeks, or if you are unable to file your weekly claim, call the unemployment telecenter (800-318-6022) or the EUC/EB unit (877-558-8509) and speak with an agent to have your claim reopened.
(Updated Nov. 20, 2009)
